Over 10 Crore Women Screened for Cervical Cancer Under Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and NHM
New Delhi, July 26: In a significant public health milestone, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has screened more than 10.18 crore women aged 30 years and above for cervical cancer across the country. The large-scale screening initiative is part of the government’s intensified focus on preventive and population-based healthcare, under the National Health Mission (NHM) and delivered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).
Announcing the achievement in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasized the government’s commitment to combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through early detection and community-driven awareness programs.
VIA-Based Screening and Grassroots Delivery
The screening initiative specifically targets women between 30 and 65 years of age, with tests conducted using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) — a low-cost, evidence-based method suitable for resource-limited settings. Trained health workers at Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) perform the screenings under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir network. Women who test positive are referred to higher medical facilities for further diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
ASHAs at the Frontline of Detection
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) play a vital role in the program’s success. Using Community Based Assessment Checklists (CBACs), they identify individuals at risk and guide them to participate in regular screenings. ASHAs also act as local ambassadors for health education, spreading awareness about early cancer detection and healthy lifestyle practices within communities.
Campaigns and Community Engagement
To support the cervical cancer screening initiative, the ministry has organized national-level awareness campaigns on occasions like World Cancer Day and National Cancer Awareness Day. Continuous engagement through print, electronic, and social media further amplifies the message of early screening and prevention.
A special NCD screening campaign was conducted between February 20 and March 31, 2025, to accelerate the reach of services. The campaign significantly contributed to achieving the current milestone, with over 10.18 crore women screened out of a total eligible population of 25.42 crore women aged 30 years and above, according to data from the National NCD Portal as of July 20, 2025.
Funding and Decentralized Implementation
Under the NHM framework, States and Union Territories are allocated dedicated funding to carry out awareness generation activities, tailored to their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). This decentralization ensures that outreach efforts are locally relevant and effectively executed.
The Ministry’s approach demonstrates a shift from reactive healthcare to a proactive, preventive model — leveraging grassroots infrastructure and human resources to address long-term health risks among women. As Ayushman Arogya Mandirs continue to expand, the cervical cancer screening initiative sets a powerful precedent in the realm of women’s health and community-driven medical care.
